TicketsBearcat Volleyball Tabbed Second In C-USA
Julie DuPont Named to Preseason All-C-USA Squad
Contact: Shawn Sell
8/6/2003
Junior Julie DuPont was named to the Conference USA Preseason All-Conference team Wednesday. |
CINCINNATI, Ohio ? The University of Cincinnati volleyball team, which will be after a fifth consecutive NCAA tournament appearance, has been ranked second in Conference USA in a poll of the league?s 14 head coaches.
In addition, junior Julie DuPont (Muskego, Wis./Muskego), a second team All-C-USA selection a year ago, has been named to the six-member pre-season all-conference squad.
?Its nice to get the respect of our peers being chosen second,? said Bearcat head coach Reed Sunahara. ?But it means we have alot to prove. Louisville is the team with the most experience and talent and they are the team to beat.?
The Bearcats are the No. 2 selection in the league for a second consecutive season, trailing 2002 regular season champions Louisville. UC finished the 2002 campaign with a 23-9 record and a 11-2 conference slate, concluding the regular season third in the league standings. The Bearcats fell in the semi-finals of the C-USA tournament to eventual champion South Florida, but were still awarded an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. They return four starters and seven letterwinners from that squad.
DuPont was the Bearcats? top offensive threat as a sophomore, carding a team-best 5.14 kills per game, while ranking third with 2.73 digs per game. She enters her junior season as UC?s all-time leader in career kills per game with 4.20.
?I think its a great honor for Julie to be chosen to this team,? Sunahara added. ?We are looking for a great year out of her and the rest of the team.?
The 2003 season opens for the Bearcats on Aug. 29 as they take part in the two-day Patriot Invitational, hosted by George Mason. UC?s home opener is set for Sept. 5, with the opening round of the Bearcat Invitational to be held in Fifth Third Arena at Shoemaker Center.
2003 CONFERENCE USA PRESEASON POLL
1. Louisville (28-6, 12-1 in 2002)
2. Cincinnati (23-9, 11-2)
3. South Florida, (30-7, 12-1)
4. Houston (19-13, 7-6)
5. Charlotte (18-15, 7-6)
6. Tulane (21-14, 9-4)
7. TCU (12-18, 4-9)
8. Marquette (13-16, 3-10)
9. Saint Louis (21-10, 10-3)
10. Southern Miss (16-15, 6-7)
11. DePaul (5-25, 1-12)
12. Memphis (19-15, 4-9)
13. UAB (13-20, 5-8)
14. East Carolina (6-26, 0-13)
ALL-LEAGUE TEAM
Bing Sun, Louisville*
Julie DuPont, Cincinnati
Sonja Percan, Louisville
Lena Ustymenko, Louisville
Bonnye Glover, South Florida
Martina Shields, UAB
* Preseason Player of the Year